No. P09/99
For release June 22, 1999

NEW KELOWNA AIRPORT TAXIWAY AND
SEWER SYSTEM ANNOUNCED

KELOWNA, B.C. — Senator D. Ross Fitzpatrick, on behalf of Transport Minister David Collenette, together with Kelowna Mayor Walter Gray, today announced federal funding of $1.6 million for a new taxiway and sewer system at Kelowna Airport. The two projects are scheduled to be completed by October and are expected to create up to 24 jobs over the four-month construction period.

The new 460 x 18 metre paved taxiway will run from the airport’s main aircraft parking apron to the south end of the runway. The construction contract for the taxiway was awarded to H & M Excavating Ltd. of Penticton, B.C. The new sewer system project will connect the airport to Kelowna’s municipal sewer system, eliminating the need for septic fields at the airport. The sewer system construction contract was awarded to Peter’s Bros. Construction Ltd. of Penticton, B.C.

"Today’s federal contribution will improve aviation safety and help the environment," said Senator Fitzpatrick. "The new taxiway will eliminate the need for departing aircraft to backtrack on the runway before taking off. The net result will be a safer runway and more aircraft landing and taking off on time. The new sewer system will help reduce the airport’s environmental impact on the Okanagan Valley."

"One of the city’s long-term goals has been to connect the airport to Kelowna’s state-of-the-art municipal sewer system," said Mayor Gray. "Thanks to the on-going co-operation between Transport Canada and the City of Kelowna we will reach our goal and the environment will be the benefactor. Both these projects are especially crucial in light of our record passengers levels and our ongoing six-phase air terminal expansion development. The new taxiway will allow the airport to handle more aircraft safely and efficiently."

Kelowna Airport is operated by the City of Kelowna under a long-term lease agreement with Transport Canada. Kelowna is B.C.’s third busiest airport and ranks number 12 in passenger traffic in Canada. A record 799,663 passengers flew into and out of Kelowna airport during 1998 — an eight per cent increase over 1997.

"The Kelowna projects are an example of the federal government directing infrastructure resources to where they are needed and can best enhance sustainable transportation, economic growth and aviation safety," said Mr. Collenette. "These types of projects are just one way the government seeks to ensure a safe, efficient and affordable airports system to serve Canadians well into the future."

Funding for the projects was provided for in the federal budget and is therefore built into the existing fiscal framework. This initiative is an example of how the federal government is prioritizing its spending so that it can better serve Canadians by making efficient use of their tax dollars.

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Contacts:

Roger Sellick
Airport Manager
(250) 765-5125

Rod Nelson
Communications, Vancouver
(604) 666-1675

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